# AFL Grand Final: what to do between sessions in Melbourne

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/afl-grand-final/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 23 to 25 September 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** Southbank and St Kilda: River or beach, trams to Albert Park.
- **Getting there:** Melbourne airport (MEL) has the SkyBus to Southern Cross in 20 to 30 minutes.
- **Weather:** In September, Melbourne averages highs of about 16°C and lows of 8°C, with roughly 61 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 15 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles; Yarra Valley wine tour; Laneways and coffee walking tour

## Know before you go

- The Grand Final parade runs through the city on the Friday before.

## Weather and what to pack

In September, Melbourne averages highs of about 16°C and lows of 8°C, with roughly 61 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 15 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

Melbourne airport (MEL) has the SkyBus to Southern Cross in 20 to 30 minutes.

Walk from Flinders Street or take trams to Richmond.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Southern Cross and the CBD west. Chain hotels near SkyBus.
- **mid:** Southbank and St Kilda. River or beach, trams to Albert Park.
- **luxury:** Collins Street. The "Paris end" grand hotels.
- Hotels we would book: Ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartments (budget), Novotel Melbourne St Kilda (mid), Crown Towers Melbourne (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Laneways and coffee walking tour. Street art and cafés.
- Eat: Pellegrini's, Espresso bar since 1954

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles. Coast drive with koalas on the way.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Phillip Island penguin parade. Little penguins coming ashore at dusk.
- Eat: Lune Croissanterie, Famous croissants

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: MCG tour and sports museum. Australia's sporting heart.
- Free: St Kilda pier penguins at dusk.

## Tours worth booking

- [Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Great%20Ocean%20Road%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-afl-grand-final): Coast drive with koalas on the way.
- [Phillip Island penguin parade](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Phillip%20Island%20penguin%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-afl-grand-final): Little penguins coming ashore at dusk.
- [Yarra Valley wine tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Yarra%20Valley%20wine%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-afl-grand-final): Wineries and cheese.
- [Laneways and coffee walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Melbourne%20laneway%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-afl-grand-final): Street art and cafés.
- [MCG tour and sports museum](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=MCG%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-afl-grand-final): Australia's sporting heart.
- [Puffing Billy steam train](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Puffing%20Billy%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-afl-grand-final): Dandenong Ranges railway.
- [Hot air balloon at sunrise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Melbourne%20hot%20air%20balloon&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-afl-grand-final): Over the city skyline.

## Where to eat

- Queen Victoria Market: Big market with food hall
- Chin Chin: Southeast Asian in Flinders Lane
- Pellegrini's: Espresso bar since 1954
- Lune Croissanterie: Famous croissants
- Hochi Mama: Vietnamese

## With kids

- Melbourne Zoo.
- Scienceworks.
- SEA LIFE Melbourne.

## Rainy-day backups

- NGV.
- ACMI screen museum.
- Melbourne Museum.

## Getting around

- Trams are free in the CBD zone; Myki cards elsewhere (contactless rolling out).
- Tap on with a contactless card on trains, trams, buses and ferries in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.
- Uber, DiDi and taxis are easy; distances outside the centres are long.

## Questions people ask

### When is AFL Grand Final 2027?

The next edition is 23 to 25 September 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during AFL Grand Final?

In September, Melbourne averages highs of about 16°C and lows of 8°C, with roughly 61 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 15 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Melbourne Cricket Ground?

Melbourne airport (MEL) has the SkyBus to Southern Cross in 20 to 30 minutes. Walk from Flinders Street or take trams to Richmond.

### Where should I stay for AFL Grand Final?

For most visitors the best base is Southbank and St Kilda: River or beach, trams to Albert Park.

### What can we do between sessions at AFL Grand Final?

Good short outings in Melbourne include Laneways and coffee walking tour, MCG tour and sports museum, Puffing Billy steam train. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near AFL Grand Final?

Family-friendly picks: Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles, Phillip Island penguin parade, MCG tour and sports museum. Melbourne Zoo.

### How far is Melbourne Cricket Ground from Melbourne centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Walk from Flinders Street or take trams to Richmond.

More in Melbourne: https://eventweekends.com/city/melbourne/